Volunteer at Samara

Have you ever wanted to get involved in the daily running of a game reserve whilst doing meaningful conservation work? Then Samara’s Conservation Volunteer Programme could be for you!

Samara is a hub of conservation and animal reintroduction efforts in the Great Karoo basin. On our volunteer programme you will work on ongoing wildlife research and management projects as well as assist with community development and environmental education programmes. Come get your hands dirty in a unique South African bush experience!

The programme is open during the months of June, July and August. Open dates for 2018 are Friday 1st June to Friday 31st August inclusive.

A typical stay will include:

Cheetah monitoring and tracking on foot

Land rehabilitation: soil erosion control including digging hollows, brush-packing and vegetation re-establishment to rectify degradation through old farming methods

Alien vegetation control: removing various invasive plant species and testing the most effective methods

Vervet monkey research: helping to observe and collect data on Vervet monkeys with students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and others to explore how our monkeys survive in the harsh Karoo environment

Tracker Academy: Samara hosts the first ever Tracker Academy in South Africa. Volunteers spend time accompanying the tracker students and Master Tracker Pokkie Benadie on their morning walks to learn about how they interpret animals’ tracks to follow them through the bush

Cape Mountain Zebra population research: evaluating sex and age ratios and population density

Tours of surrounding attractions (e.g. Valley of Desolation, Addo Elephant National Park) can be arranged on request and at extra cost.

The volunteer camp can accommodate a maximum of 10 volunteers at any one time, in basic single or double rooms. Camp facilities include a kitchen, living room, braai area, outdoor seating, Wifi, telephone and laundry.

Why not Pack for a Purpose?

Samara is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers to make a lasting impact in their destination’s community. Save some space in your suitcase when you travel to volunteer with us and bring supplies for the projects you’ll be working with: from the Vuyani Safe Haven to the Tracker Academy. Find out what supplies are needed here.